EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In one of the most anticipated matchups of the season, it only took the first half to practically decide a winner.

The tryptophan had barely settled before the New England Patriots were on the board at Met Life Stadium after a Wes Welker touchdown. Then in a bizarre sequence of events, the Patriots were able to score three touchdowns in under a minute.

An 83-yard pass from Tom Brady to Shane Vereen followed by two fumble returns for touchdowns quickly gave the Patriots a 28-0 lead. By halftime, the score flashed 35-3 in favor the visiting New England team.

As for the troubling Jets, the defense barely laid a finger on Brady accounting for zero sacks or interceptions. Meanwhile Mark Sanchez struggled to move the chains going 26/36 for 301 yards with one touchdown and one interception. That accounted for a Quarter Back Rating of 22.9 for those counting at home.

Nick Folk scored first for the Jets with a 32-yard field goal before the half. New York followed that up with a Bilal Powell rushing touchdown and a one yard pass to Dustin Keller late in the game. There was also a penalty in the endzone on the Patriots' running back Stephen Ridley which resulted in a safety.

In a must win game, the playoffs look even more out of reach for the grounded Jets. They'll try to salvage any chance of post season play when they play host to Arizona next week.